Chicago White Sox 2014 Spring Training Profile: Jose Abreu

By Ryan Gaydos

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There really is no reason for any team to have passed on Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu. Playing in the same Cuban league as Yasiel Puig and Yoenis Cespedes and putting up better numbers than both of them should be an indication of what Abreu is going to bring to any team this season. Luckily for the White Sox, he’ll do it for them.

Abreu is already leaving strong impressions at White Sox mini-camp, according to hitting coach Tim Stevenson. If anything, White Sox fans want to see him live up to his six-year, $68 million contract and the enormous numbers he posted in Cuba. He hit .453 with 33 home runs and 93 RBIs between 2010 and 2011. Abreu also flirted with the Triple Crown twice. Scouts consider him to be a better hitter than both Puig and Cespedes as well.

Chicago got a steal and with Spring Training coming up, everyone should be watching how he fares early on against major league pitching. The competition will be rusty, but they should still give the newcomer a stern test, especially as the regular season approaches. Given the length of Spring Training, Abreu should be able to have good games early on to get ready for the team’s first game against the Minnesota Twins on March 31.